托管 (tuō guǎn) is a compound noun meaning 'custodial service' or 'entrusted management', where 托 (tuō) means 'to entrust' or 'to commission', and 管 (guǎn) means 'to manage' or 'to supervise'. Together, they convey the idea of formally handing over responsibility for something — especially care, oversight, or operation — to another person or organization. The term emphasizes trust and accountability, not mere delegation.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving temporary or long-term care arrangements, such as pet boarding services (e.g., dog托管), childcare centers, or IT infrastructure management. It carries a formal, institutional tone and often appears in service descriptions, contracts, or official announcements. Unlike casual terms like 照看 (zhào kàn, 'to look after'), 托管 implies structured, professional oversight with defined responsibilities and duration.